Chapter IV

"How could this happen?" Kenna asked after she had overcome the initial shock. "Haven't you been paying attention to him?"

"I... I must have dozed off." Bernadette looked at her mistress with tears in her eyes. "When I woke up again he was disappeard."

"I hired you that you take care of him. How could you sleep and neglect your duty! "

"I'm so sorry!" Bernadette wiped her eyes. "If something happens to him, I'll never forgive myself."

"Better pray that we'll find him. It's your fault that he's gone!"

"Kenna!" Mary chided her friend. "Confessions of guilt are not helpful in this situation. Let's think clearly."

Kenna went through her hair with a trembling hand. "I beg your pardon!" She turned to the young nanny. "I know that you are always reliable. But I'm so terribly worried. The castle is so huge. He could be anywhere!"

"He can't be far," Mary intervened. "How old is he... two...? He can't run that fast."

"He runs since he was 14 months old," Kenna corrected. "And he is 2 1/2 and not two. He was a fast learner, could speak and walk early."

"That's good. If someone finds him he can say his name and where he comes from at least." Mary nodded eagerly. "We should split up to search for him."

"And what if someone abducted him?", Bernadette remarked.

Mary had to suppress a grin. The situation was serious. "Unlikely. I don't believe in kidnapping. Why should someone do this? He is not a rich heir where you could extort money from."

Bernadette nodded. "You're probably right, your Majesty. I wasn't thinking clearly."

Mary smiled. "Call me Mary. Do you know what I think? He woke up, was bored and decided to explore his new home."

Kenna nodded. "Yes, that would suit him. He's incredibly curious." She frowned. "But where should we begin with the search? There are so many chambers. And don't forget the garden, the forest..." She stopped abruptly and looked at Mary wide-eyed. "Oh no... you don't believe that he went into the forest, do you?"

Mary raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Do you believe it?" As she saw her friend's concerned facial expression, she put her hand reassuringly on Kenna's arm. "You know that nobody knows the forest better than Bash. He will find him if he really walked out there."

Groaning, Kenna dropped into a chair. "This is worse than the worst nightmare! Not only that I must tell my ex that he has a son, I have to ask him to look for him because I am unable to take care of my own son!"

"Don't be so hard on yourself!" Mary sat down next to her friend. "We will find him. I will give notice to the guards that they should keep an eye out."

"Thank you, Mary!"

"Where do we start with the search? Do you have an idea?"

Kenna shrugged helplessly.

"If I may make a suggestion?" Bernadette stepped between the women. "Are there stables nearby the castle? Daniel loves horses. And he took his wooden toy-horse with him."

Kenna raised her head abruptly. "Of course! He is at the stables. Horses have a magical attraction to him. And I promised him to visit the stables after our arrival at the castle."

"Let's go then!" Mary rose from the chair. "Bernadette, you stay in the castle, if he shows up here."

The young nanny nodded. "As you wish, your Majesty." She curtsied before she left the room.

"Let us hope that we find him." Mary stepped to the window and looked out. "Dusk is falling soon. And it's not good when he is out in the dark alone."

"Then we should hurry. I'm going back to my chamber and fetch a blanket for Daniel. It's getting cold too." Kenna rose from her chair. „You go ahead! I will catch up."

Mary nodded and set off for the stables.